Creating a homegroup in Windows

By creating a homegroup in Windows we can access files on another machine.  This is particularly useful if we want to install Media Centre software such as Kodi on one machine, but keep all the films and TV shows on another machine:

How to Setup the Homegroup

Step 1. Search for and launch “Homegroup” on any PC that you want to share files to or from:

Step 2. Click “Create a homegroup”:

Step 3. Click next on the Wizard

Step 4. Choose what you want to make available to other PC’s and click “Next”:

Step 5. Note down the password and click “Finish”:

 

 

Step 6. Go to another PC that you want to share files to or from and Search for and launch Home group:

Step 7. Click Join now

Step 8. Click Next on the wizard

Step 9. Choose what you want to make available to other PC’s and click “Next”:

Step 10. Enter the password you were given by the other PC and press “Next”

Step 11. Repeat this process for any other PC you would like to share files with

How to share files and folders across the Homegroup

Step 1. Right click on whatever file or folder you wish to share and go to Share with -> Advanced sharing:

Step 2. Click “Advanced Sharing”:

Step 3. tick “Share this folder” and then “Permissions”:

Step 4. If you want to be able to delete files on this machine from across the network, and you want Kodi to be able to delete files from across the network then you’ll need to allow full control for “Everyone”.  If you just want computers on your network to be able to watch TV shows and Movies but not delete them then you’ll need to just grant “Read” access.

Step 5. Press “OK”, “OK”, and “Close”.

Step 6. Check you can access the drive across the network.  Go to one of your other PC’s and open up any folder and expand “Network” and then try to open the folder you’ve shared:

 

Now that the files are available across your network you can add the file location to Kodi if you want to be able to access movies and TV shows across the network.  You can copy the location from the folder and use it to access these files from anywhere on your network:

 

 

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